Quote of the week

"I see the world, feel the chill
Which way to go, windowsill
I see the words on a rockin' horse of time
I see the birds in the rain, oh, oh"

– Pearl Jam, Release

Menlo Park's Annual Summer 3v3 Basketball Tournament

Join us for Menlo Park's Annual Summer 3v3 Basketball Tournament at the Arrillaga Family Gymnasium. Teams of up to four players (ages 18 and older) will compete in four guaranteed round-robin games before the top teams advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket. The winning team will take home $1,500 in prizes, courtesy of our sponsors, Soleska Market and Agile Physical Therapy. The team registration fee is $50. Learn more and register here!

Summer Concert Series

Summer Concert audiences are in for two high-energy concerts this week. Don't forget to pack your chairs, blankets and favorite picnic essentials. Concerts run weekly through Aug. 12. See the full series lineup and details.

• Given to Fly will deliver energetic music inspired by rock, pop and soul! Join us on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. at Fremont Park, Santa Cruz Avenue and University Drive.
• Curley Taylor and his band, Zydeco Trouble, are from the heart of Creole country in Louisiana. Curley's soulful, bluesy vocals and the band's hard-driving zydeco beat keep audiences dancing. It's always a party when Zydeco Trouble comes to town. Participate on Friday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. at Karl E. Clark Park, 313 Market Place.

Thank you to our sponsors, The Almanac, West Bay Sanitary District and Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan, for supporting this annual summer series.

Bay Area Discovery Museum Try It Truck

The Bay Area Discovery Museum Try It Truck invites young scientists to join STEM problem-solving as they move through a variety of design challenge stations. Kids in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join the museum for an afternoon of science on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from noon–2 p.m. on the Menlo Park Library Lawn, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

This event received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.

Mister Softee and bubbles at PlayLOCAL! at Willow Oaks Park

Come out and play with us as we celebrate Parks and Recreation Month! Bike, walk or run to your local park to join us for PlayLOCAL!, an hour of guided outdoor play and games at your local park. Pack a picnic and blanket to stay and chat with your friends and neighbors afterward. Plus, fan favorite ice cream vendor Mister Softee will be out selling treats to help beat the heat. Join us this Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m.–noon at Willow Oaks Park for a bubble surprise. Learn more.

Fall Activity enrollment dates announced

Learning is an adventure that yields lifelong benefits. The City of Menlo Park hosts a wide range of high-quality classes for all ages at reasonable rates, including fitness, dance, sports, gymnastics, music, drama, arts and crafts, lifelong learning and more. Learn more and preview classes.

Summer activity enrollment opens at 9 a.m. on:

• Thursday, Aug. 13, for hyperlocal (Belle Haven Community Campus only)
• Saturday, Aug. 15, for Menlo Park residents
• Wednesday, Aug. 19, for non-residents

Garden talk: Fall crops to grow now

If you've been thinking about starting a garden, join us online to learn about easy-to-grow veggies and greens for the fall. We'll cover what varieties grow well in our area and when and how to get them started. Participate online via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn more.

Family Fun Night at Burgess Pool

Join us for Family Fun Night at Burgess Pool and dive into an under-the-sea adventure! Soak up the fun with an evening of water games, music and family fun. The Wading Pool will have extended hours until 7 p.m., giving younger swimmers even more time to splash and play. No registration is required. All the fun is included with the price of your Open Swim admission! Join us on Friday, Aug. 7, from 5–7 p.m. at Burgess Pool, 501 Laurel St. Learn more.

Belle Haven Pool new hours beginning today

Beginning today, Aug. 1, Belle Haven Pool will resume its regular facility hours. We look forward to welcoming you to the pool and hope you'll continue to take advantage of the many opportunities to swim, exercise and spend time with our community.

Belle Haven Pool Hours

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday: noon–5 p.m. (Shifted one hour later in response to community feedback)

Program schedules and lane availability vary throughout the day, so we encourage you to check the full schedule before your visit. Learn more.

Library Makes: Bedazzling

Join the Teen Advisory Group for a special Library Makes event to learn the craft of bedazzling! Particpate on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, Makerspace, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

More free literary and cultural programs 

These free literary and cultural programs received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.

• Co-Writing Workshop. Join us for fun prompts, free writes and literary community! This workshop is a chance to connect with other writers and to discuss and share creative works with like-minded people. Participate on Sunday, Aug. 2, from 2–3 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

• Melanated Women Read. This month, we will discuss Glory Be by Danielle Arceneaux. Join us online via Zoom on Monday, Aug. 3, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.

• Middle Grade Book Group Author Visit. For kids aged six–12: join us for a virtual Q&A with bestselling author Alyson Gerber, author of The Liars Society series. Participate online via Zoom on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5–5:45 p.m. Learn more.

• Smiley Stories: Latin American Soul. Join us for a fun, action-filled bilingual performance by Colombian artists. Participate on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, Makerspace, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

• Fiction Book Group Author Visit. Join us online to discuss Crown City by Naomi Hirahara and meet the author! Participate online via Zoom on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.

• A Visit with Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop. Join us online to meet the daughters of the legendary Shari Lewis: Mallory and Lamb Chop! Participate online via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 1–2 p.m. Learn more.

Check out more free community programs
The above was just a sample of the many free activities hosted by the City of Menlo Park this week. Check out the community events calendar to see them all!

Follow us on social media